In a significant crackdown on wildlife poaching, the Junnar Forest Division arrested a man for allegedly hunting a leopard and a soft-shelled turtle, both protected under Indian wildlife laws.
Acting on a tip-off, forest officials on February 22 apprehended Laxman Sakharam Pawar (39), a resident of Dudhadewadi, Ghotawade in Raigad district. Authorities seized the dead animals along with hunting equipment used in the crime. A case has been registered under Sections 9, 39, and 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 at Shikrapur Round under the Shirur Forest Range.
The accused was produced before the Judicial Magistrate Court, Shirur, on February 23 and remanded to two days of forest custody for further investigation. Forest officials are also working to trace other suspects believed to be involved.
The operation was conducted under the guidance of Ashish Thackeray, Conservator of Forests, Pune, who emphasized the strict legal protections for Schedule I species like leopards and soft-shelled turtles. Violations are cognizable and non-bailable offences, punishable by imprisonment of up to seven years and a fine of up to Rs25,000.
Key personnel involved in the operation included Prashant Khade (Sub-Conservator of Forests), Smita Rajhans (Assistant Conservator of Forests, Vasani), and Nilkanth Gavane (Forest Range Officer, Shirur), supported by forester Gauri Hingne and forest guards Pramod Patil, Sopan Anasune, Narayan Rathod, Ganesh Zirpe, and Jalindar Sanap.
Forest authorities appealed to citizens to report any information regarding wildlife crimes and warned that strict action will be taken against anyone involved in such illegal activities.
